Joe Barbaro, Monique de Boer, Rhea Gajardo, Brona Nic Giolla Easpaig and Suthathip Yangsanthia became Australian citizens on September 17.

Mayor Peta Pinson conducted the ceremony.

The new citizens received certificates and citizenship coins after making a solemn commitment to uphold the values, privileges and responsibilities of being Australian.

The new Australian citizens were born in Italy, The Netherlands, The Philippines, Thailand and Northern Ireland/UK.

Dunbogan resident Monique de Boer felt becoming an Australian citizen was her destiny.

She has felt a pull to Australia since age nine when a relative gave her a koala toy.

“I feel pride,” she said about becoming an Australian citizen.

“It was a joyous occasion.”

Joe Barbaro came to Australia from Italy as a two-year-old with his family.

“I thought it was time after about 56 years,” he said about Australian citizenship.

“It was actually overwhelming to a degree.

“I am very happy.”

Rhea Gajardo swapped The Philippines for Australia almost eight years ago.

“There’s more opportunity in Australia,” she said.

Rhea, who wants her children Jamie and Isla to grow up in Australia, said she already felt Australian.

“I’m very thankful and very blessed to have the opportunity to live here,” she said.

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